**Beneath the Crimson Moon, Shadows Rise Beyond the Sleeping Horizon by Mira Solen Hart**
The sun had barely begun to rise when I finished my morning routine, the quiet of the house enveloping me. Just as I adjusted my hair in the mirror, I heard the unmistakable sound of the door creaking open.
Thomas was back.
With a sense of determination, I made my way toward him. As I approached, he caught sight of me and let out a chilling laugh that echoed in the air between us. But before he could unleash whatever cutting remark was brewing in his mind, I seized the moment.
“Perfect timing,” I said, my voice steady and devoid of emotion. “Don’t even bother taking your shoes off. City Hall is open. Let’s go get divorced.”
The words hung in the air, and for a brief moment, Thomas stood there, his expression a mixture of disbelief and confusion. It took a long, agonizing second for the reality of what I had just said to sink in, and when he finally met my gaze, I could see the wheels turning in his mind.
“I was gone all night,” he replied, incredulity lacing his tone. “And the first thing you say to me is that you want a divorce?”
I studied his haggard face, the shadows under his eyes telling a story of sleepless nights. I simply nodded, feeling a strange sense of calm wash over me. “What else is there to discuss? You want to drag this out even longer?”
He let out a humorless chuckle, the kind that seemed to mock the situation rather than lighten it. “Heh…” He paused, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw vulnerability flicker across his features. But then, like a switch, his usual cocky demeanor returned. “Fine. Let’s go.”
The ride to the courthouse was steeped in silence, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on us. When we arrived and received our number, we settled into the waiting area. I pulled out the divorce documents, feeling the crisp paper between my fingers.
“Do you have any objections to the asset distribution in the agreement?” I asked, my voice steady, although my heart raced with anticipation.
Thomas, with a flick of his wrist, grabbed the divorce papers he had hastily signed the night before. He let out a short, derisive laugh that grated on my nerves. “Psh, only four and a half million? And here I thought you were gonna ask for the moon and demand shares in Scott Corp!”
He scanned the document, and without missing a beat, he pulled out his phone and wired me the money right then and there. “Four and a half million. It’s sent.”
A flicker of happiness ignited within me, but the sight of his smug, self-satisfied expression quickly doused that flame. I shook my head in disbelief, waiting in silence for our number to be called, unaware that he interpreted my quietude as a challenge.
That four and a half million was the pinnacle of what my lawyer had managed to extract after countless negotiations and sleepless nights. Every other asset he possessed was completely out of my reach. Even with the betrayal hanging over us, I couldn’t touch them; they were either shielded by the prenup or simply not in his name.
Before long, the moment we had been waiting for arrived, and the divorce was finalized. As I held the certificate in my hands, a long sigh of relief escaped my lips.
“Hah, so now you’re sighing. A little late for regrets, don’t you think?” Thomas’s mocking voice sliced through the air, his laughter cold and cutting. With a final disdainful snort, he turned on his heel and swaggered away, his leather shoes clicking against the floor.
Sometimes, you find yourself so utterly speechless that laughter is the only response left. I was, without a doubt, exhaling a breath of relief, finally feeling a sense of peace wash over me.
And he mistook it for regret?
Thank goodness he left when he did; otherwise, he would have witnessed the massive eye-roll I couldn’t suppress.
I ordered an Uber to take me home, arriving to find that Thomas hadn’t returned at all. A wave of relief washed over me. At least now I could pack and move out without him complaining about the noise.
Without hesitation, I booked an all-inclusive moving service, instructing them to collect everything that belonged to me. The movers were efficient and professional. We started at one o’clock, and by a little after four, everything was moved into my new place, unpacked, and ready for a fresh start.
I treated myself to a reservation at a charming restaurant and bought a ticket for a movie later that evening.
I can finally be myself again. Just imagine it.
A steady nine-to-five job, drinks and spontaneous trips with a few cherished friends, the occasional indulgent spa day, and workouts that invigorate my spirit.
Isn’t that the life?
Reflecting on the past, I realized how my entire existence had revolved around Thomas. I had drained myself for him, living in a constant state of anxiety and worry. It was utterly pathetic.
I hadn’t been this way before I met him.
A relationship should be the icing on the cake of your life, not a weight that drags you down into an abyss of despair.
And if it doesn’t bring joy, then it’s time to toss it aside.
In this one life we have, is there truly anything we can’t live without?
Love, I’ve come to realize, is something you can simply discard. It’s not as if losing it will send you spiraling into oblivion.
I glanced at the four and a half million dollars in my account, a testament to my newfound freedom.
That’s eight figures. Eight!
To someone like Thomas, four and a half million might be mere pocket change.
But for me, it represented the maximum amount I could have legally and logically secured.
And I was more than satisfied.
